This week has been a delightful mix of progress, challenges, and precious moments. It’s amazing how much can happen in just a week! From thinking and learning about our French farm renovation to celebrating family time together and making strides in my career, it’s been some truly eclectic 7 days.

Personal

This week (and the same week each year) bring a touch of bittersweet nostalgia. The 5th of February was my Dad’s birthday; he would have been 71… Bon anniversaire Papa, miss you!

On a lighter note, I finally succumbed to the allure of Vinted! Yes, I’m a late bloomer, but I’m thrilled with my discovery. I snagged a brand new pair of Salomon Ultra 4 mid-cut wide fit hiking boots for a steal – £70 instead of £191 on Amazon! They’re perfect timing, as my trusty old hiking boots – a pair of Salomon X Ultra 3 , which have accompanied me on adventures from Georgia to Tenerife, Brazil, Sicily and beyond, are passed retirement. They’ve served me extremely well, but it’s time for a worthy successor.

We’ve also been making some practical decisions!
We’re switching some bank accounts to First Direct (HSBC group) to take advantage of a £175 welcome bonus. Every little bit helps!

And speaking of finances, I’ve submitted a request to Ma Prime Renov’ (Rénov’Occitanie Hautes-Pyrénées) to help us navigate the process of improving the energy efficiency of our new farm (Yes!! We bought an old farm!). Our French farm renovation is a big project, and I want to take full advantage of any available financial assistance, including grants and subsidies. The farm itself is a constant source of inspiration and work. I’ve been busy detailing the improvements we want to make. It’s exciting to envision the future! In parallel, to help speed up the sale of our flat in the UK, we’ve decided to work with multiple agencies. Fingers crossed for a quick and smooth process.

Professional

Professionally, I’ve passed an interview for a potential next step in my career! Fingers crossed for good news. And on the other side of the table, I’ve finalised the first round of interviews to find my successor. It’s rewarding to help someone else grow and take on new challenges.

I’ve had some exciting learning moments. I’ve discovered the Canvas core plugin in Obsidian, and it’s a game-changer for mind mapping! The flexibility is incredible, and I have been using it extensively this week. Check out this demo by Vicky Zhao [BEEAMP] for a glimpse of its power.

Inner

This week – as always – has also been a time for personal growth. In a funny twist, I’ve been consciously working on my tolerance and patience. A seemingly simple task – replacing the mixer tap of the basin in the bathroom – turned into a mini-saga when I discovered the shut-off valves were inaccessible (Yay!). Let’s just say there was some creative plumbing involved (and a little bit of splashing!). But I persevered and got the job done.

Family time is always a priority. We enjoyed a lovely walk all together this Sunday, after a day with Nelly on Saturday while Mama took a well deserved day off to go to the theater. These moments are so precious!

I’m also continuing my quest for better sleep. I’ll be using an Honor 5 band tracker to monitor my sleep patterns and hopefully make some improvements.

What’s Next

My immediate focus is to fully understand the ins and outs of Ma Prime Renov’. I also want to continue developing our plans for the farm improvements, which includes learning about French drains! It’s a continuous learning process.

Life, as always, is a balancing act. Between the French farm renovation, my career, family, and personal growth, there’s always something to keep me busy. But I’m learning to embrace the eclectic nature of it all and to find joy in the journey. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth, and every problem has a solution.

What about you? What are some of your recent reflections or “aha!” moments? Share your thoughts in the comments below!